Jane Hayes is a seemingly normal young New Yorker, but she has a secret. Her obsession with Mr. Darcy, as played by Colin Firth in the BBC adaptation of Pride and Prejudice, is ruining her love life: no real man can compare. But when a wealthy relative bequeaths her a trip to an English resort catering to Austen-crazed women, Jane's fantasies of meeting the perfect Regency-era gentleman suddenly become realer than she ever could have imagined.

Your Likes make Audible better!

Publisher's Summary

Now a major motion picture.

Jane Hayes is a seemingly normal young New Yorker, but she has a secret. Her obsession with Mr. Darcy, as played by Colin Firth in the BBC adaptation of Pride and Prejudice, is ruining her love life: no real man can compare. But when a wealthy relative bequeaths her a trip to an English resort catering to Austen-crazed women, Jane's fantasies of meeting the perfect Regency-era gentleman suddenly become realer than she ever could have imagined.

Decked out in empire-waist gowns, Jane struggles to master Regency etiquette and flirts with gardeners and gentlemen: or maybe even, she suspects, with the actors who are playing them. It's all a game, Jane knows. And yet the longer she stays, the more her insecurities seem to fall away, and the more she wonders: Is she about to kick the Austen obsession for good, or could all her dreams actually culminate in a Mr. Darcy of her own?

Katherine Kellgren does such a good job narrating that she almost rescues this book. This is an interesting take on the Austen universe but I have to confess that this book can be put down. I am not certain why my reaction is so lukewarm. I think it because the real parts of the story and play acting are difficult to distinguish. I also couldn't seem to sympathize with the heroine. I really didn't like her and I don't know why. It puzzles me for I tend to suspend my disbelief on command of the author. I am willing to be led where ever the author wants to go. In this case, I think the heroine led a boring life, is bored, wants to be rescued and does nothing for herself: in short, she is boring. What kind of man would want to be around her? To say this in a different way: Miss Elizabeth Bennet wasn't sitting on her hands dreaming of a Darcy coming to her rescue. She lived and took her pleasures and disappointments as she found them. She was never boring. She will never be boring. Dittos for Anne Elliot, Elinor Dashwood, Fanny Price, Catherine Morland and certainly Emma Woodhouse. If woman (or a man) is leading an empty life, it is not Mr. Darcy's fault. Look to the mirror.

Both my 17 year old daughter and I (a 46 year old mom) loved this book. We're both Jane Austen fans, and the idea of being able to escape to a Jane Austen-type of world is intriguing. I think all of Shannon Hale's books are great, and always look forward to her next one.

I thought this was entertaining, although a bit slow and unbelievable at parts. We read it for our book club and most everyone got some fun out of reading it. It's in no way deep, but it is clean (no sex scenes) and still romantic.

I love all things Pride and Prejudice, and this is no exception. I went in with low expectations, because of the numerous attempts to recreate the wheel, but was surprised to find that these were not just Darcy and Elizabeth revisited. The characters were fleshed out to be not just the same retread territory, but with a spin. Definitely worth the book credit.

This book was funny and lots of fun. I'm such a Pride & Prejudice fan that I probably would love to go to Austenland. This book held my interest and I would recommend to any sappy P&P fan. The reader did a great job too.

I really enjoyed this book! It is not what I expected; a recreation of a classic. The characters are original. Shannon Hale did a great job showing what it would be like for a present day woman to enter a "Pride and Prejudice" world. I laughed out loud several times.

Book is about a modern girl living in the past or more specificaly with Colin Firth in the A&E version of Pride. (who can blame her)
The first time I listened to this book, the first part was a bit to extreeme (I don't hide my version in a plant after all!) but as you go get to the arival at Austenland the book makes you laugh. I have listened to the book a few times now and I laugh even at the beginning. If you enjoy Jane Austen you will enjoy this book, especialy if you have ever dreamed of finding your own Mr. Darcy.

Your report has been received. It will be reviewed by Audible and we will take appropriate action.

Can't wait to hear more from this listener?

You can now follow your favorite reviewers on Audible.

When you follow another listener, we'll highlight the books they review, and even email* you a copy of any new reviews they write. You can un-follow a listener at any time to stop receiving their updates.

* If you already opted out of emails from Audible you will still get review emails by the listeners you follow.